San Francisco Giants, Hunter Pence deal could be announced soon

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants right fielder Hunter Pence and team president Larry Baer spoke for about 15 minutes after Friday's game, and Pence said the two sides could agree on a new deal before Sunday's season finale.

"They're about to get back to me," Pence said. "We're either really close or really far away. I'll know shortly. We're talking, I guess."

Pence, 30, will be a free agent at the end of the season, but he has repeatedly said that he hopes to stay in San Francisco. The Giants feel the same way, and the two sides have been negotiating for several weeks. Pence and Baer spoke in the clubhouse, not far from reporters, and Pence retreated to a back room, presumably to speak with his agent.

League sources said Pence and the Giants were far apart earlier this week. Pence is said to be seeking a long-term deal similar to the five-year, $85 million deal that Andre Ethier signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.

In his second season with the Giants, Pence is hitting .282 with 26 homers, 94 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. He has made 169 consecutive starts.

Earlier Friday, Pence won the "Willie Mac" Award, given to the team's most inspirational player, as voted by players, coaches, trainers, fans and Willie McCovey. The Giants asked Pence for his mother's phone number earlier this week, telling Pence that they wanted to give Gail Pence a bracelet. Instead, Gail was on hand as Hunter was named the Willie Mac winner.

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"I was like, 'They got me,'" Pence said, smiling. "It's tough to express how humble and grateful I am. To be voted in by your teammates is an outstanding honor for a player. The smile on my face showed you what was going on. I was definitely on cloud nine."